Fair Treatment of Enemy in Alavi Teachings

Such values and principles as human dignity, freedom, social equity, legitimate right of security and defense, social security, education and upbringing, negation of compulsion and coercion, supporting the rights of the women and children and the rights of the deprived classes in the society, respecting right of ownership and other humane natural, innate and contractual legal concepts, as well as legal and political concepts already exist and are studied in Islamic jurisprudence and history of Islam.
Pardoning the Defeated Enemy
After the Battle of Jamal and the escape of the people of Basra, Imam Ali (A.S) granted general amnesty while in all wars of those days, the victorious commanders considered life, property and wives and daughters of the defeated army as religiously legitimate to own. They treated the defeated people in whatever manner they wished. But Imam Ali (A.S) pardoned the people of Basra and ignored their enmity, violence and wrongdoings against the army of Islam. However, in a letter he warned them against any act of violence and breaking the law:
“Whatever disunity and schism you have is not hidden to you. I have forgiven your wrong-doers and held back my sword from those who ran away. I received everyone who came to me from among you. If devastating matters and wrong and silly views are prompting you to break the pledge with me and to oppose me, then (listen) I have kept ready my horses and put saddles (on my riding camels), and if you force me to advance towards you I shall come down in such a manner that the battle of Jamal would appear like the last licking of the tongue before it. At the same time I know the high position of the obedient among you and the right of the sincere without confusing the innocent with the offenders or the faithful with the pledge-breakers.” 1

Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi

Note:

1 Seyed Razi, Nahj ul-Balagha, Letter 29, Ibn Helal Thaqafi, Algharat, Vol. 2, Pp. 373 and 412; Ibn Ravandi, Menhaj ul-Bara’at, Vol. 3, P. 69; Majlesi, Bahar ul-Anvar, Vol. 33, P. 496, H 701; Balazari, Ansab al-Ashraf, Vol. 2, Pp. 430 and 429; Zamakhshari Motazeli, Rabi’ ul-Abrar, Vol. 3, P. 385, H. 108, B 51

Other inks:

What Obliges People to Have Respect for the Rights of Others? (Part 1)

What Obliges People to Have Respect for the Rights of Others? (Part 2)

The Divine Source of Human Rights (Part 1)